WHEELING, W.Va. – The Cardinals showed its Atlantic Regional toughness Saturday night. After falling in the first set, Wheeling Jesuit surged past Pitt-Johnstown in the next three sets for the 3-1 volleyball victory. WJU swept past Slippery Rock in the morning contest, 3-0.
 
The veteran Mountain Cats (10-3) took the opening set of the night match, 25-21. Leading 20-18, the Cardinals (8-4) netted five of the final six points for a 25-19 second set, before they stormed to decisive 25-12 and 25-15 final sets.
 
WJU took care of Slippery Rock by scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 25-12 in the Saturday morning match.
 
With the victories, WJU has recorded five-straight victories and are 7-1 after dropping three of four in it West Florida opening weekend.
 
Middle blocker Haley Kramer led the Cardinals frontline with 25 kills and five total blocks. Cassie Meyer added 19 kills and 23 digs.
 
Maddy Smyth was the big WJU hitter against UPJ with 14 kills, three digs and three block assists. The senior hit nine winners without an error in the first match for a .600 hit percentage.
 
Audrey Francis dug 43 attacks, while Stephanie Sylvester handed out 83 assists to go with 16 digs, six blocks and two aces. Abby Moffit chipped in 15 digs and Makenna Babb eight kills and 14 digs against UPJ.
 
WJU has almost a week off before it opens Mountain East Conference play at Shepherd next Friday night, Sept. 22. First serve is 6 p.m.